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Growth Hormone Deficiency, Pediatric

Paul L. Hofman, FRACP Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Growth hormone deficiency (GHD) is a rare cause of growth failure due to a lack of growth hormone action caused by a defect in GH synthesis (insufficient hormone) or release.

  • GHD can ...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • The diagnosis of GH deficiency requires evidence of poor growth (a growth velocity of <25th percentile), usually secondary short stature and biochemical evidence of GH deficiency).

  • ...

TREATMENT

MEDICATION

  • Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in 1985 by SQ injection daily.

  • Daily recommended dosing is between 0.16 a...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Every 3 months by an endocrinologist 
  • When to expect improvement:

    • Immediate effect on hypoglycemia

    • Growth velocity improves within 3 to 6 months.

  • Signs to watch for:

    • P...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Clayton PE, Cohen P, Tanaka T, et al. Diagnosis of growth hormone deficiency in childhood. On behalf of the Growth Hormone Research Society. Horm Res.  2000;53(Suppl 3):30. [Vi...

CODES

ICD9

  • 253.3 Pituitary dwarfism

  • 759.2 Anomalies of other endocrine glands

ICD10

  • E23.0 Hypopituitarism

  • Q89.2 Congenital malformations of other endocrine glands

SNOMED

  • 397827003 Growth hormone deficiency (...

FAQ

  • Q: Does GH improve the body composition in patients with GH deficiency?

  • A: Not only is growth impressive in these patients but also there is a normalization of body composition with a loss of fat a...

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